I'd get the one Costco sells. If you run into ANY problems - take it back. With that kind of return policy and the usually great value they have, you can hardly go wrong! (BTW, I have one of their "Foodsavers" and it works great)

Go to homebrewfinds.com and check the link for vacuum sealers in the right hand sidebar, target has a basic FoodSaver on sale for about 50% off. I've got a FoodSaver and love it, for hops and more. I get my rolls and bags off eBay, same quality as the brand name and a lot cheaper.

My Seal-a-meal by Rival promptly failed after a couple uses. I've had it's replacement (Foodsaver) for 5 years now.

I love my Foodsaver...I bought it in 1991 (or thereabouts) and have used it for both food and brewing stuff. It still pulls as good a vacuum as ever. I've had sero issues with it. The only maintenance I've had to perform is to run an ounce or two of a warm, diluted vinegar solution through it to clean it. One of the best appliance purchases I've ever made.

Yep, the middle of the road FoodSaver has worked great for us. If your mainly doing dry goods and careful when doing wet/messy foods it works really well. It's made well enough that if you're careful and clean it will last. S'pose that's true of most things though.

My Seal-a-meal by Rival promptly failed after a couple uses. I've had it's replacement (Foodsaver) for 5 years now.

I love my Foodsaver...I bought it in 1991 (or thereabouts) and have used it for both food and brewing stuff. It still pulls as good a vacuum as ever. I've had sero issues with it. The only maintenance I've had to perform is to run an ounce or two of a warm, diluted vinegar solution through it to clean it. One of the best appliance purchases I've ever made.

This is exactly what I was worried about and why I want a FoodSaver. I would rather not buy it twice. As my mom says, only rich people can afford to buy cheap things.

My Seal-a-meal by Rival promptly failed after a couple uses. I've had it's replacement (Foodsaver) for 5 years now.

I love my Foodsaver...I bought it in 1991 (or thereabouts) and have used it for both food and brewing stuff. It still pulls as good a vacuum as ever. I've had sero issues with it. The only maintenance I've had to perform is to run an ounce or two of a warm, diluted vinegar solution through it to clean it. One of the best appliance purchases I've ever made.

This is exactly what I was worried about and why I want a FoodSaver. I would rather not buy it twice. As my mom says, only rich people can afford to buy cheap things.

On the other hand, everything is made in China these days and a higher price doesn't necessarily mean quality. You're going to find bad reviews for almost everything out there if you search for it. It's cheaper for the manufacturers to offer better warranties and replace lemons than to build something that lasts.